Dezeen Magazine

Mette Schelde's Ombre Light evokes sun shining behind clouds

With a light source placed behind coloured glass, designer Mette Schelde captures the effect of sunlight glowing through clouds in her piece showcased as part of our Dezeen x The Mindcraft Project 2021 collaboration.

Ombre Light is one of 10 works of experimental Danish design in The Mindcraft Project, and combines traditional materials with a newer technology to try to achieve a "sensual" effect.

Ombre Light by Mette Schelde in a studio space
The Ombre Light features a blue gradient printed on glass. Photo by Benjamin Lund

It comprises a circular pane of glass, with a blue gradient printed directly on the rear, radiating outwards from a pale centre to an indigo edge.

A light source placed behind the glass creates a glow that Schelde describes as similar to the diffused illumination created when the sun is covered by clouds.

Ombre Light by Mette Schelde in The Mindcraft Project
A small cylindrical dimmer switch is located in the middle of the light. Photo by Anders Sune Berg

"My starting point was my interest in exploring the functional as well as the sensual aspects and forms of light," said Shelde.

The strength of illumination on the Ombre Light is controlled using a small cylindrical dimmer switch in the centre of the design. Interacting with the piece in this way is meant to create a tactile connection to light.

Video is by Benjamin Lund.


Dezeen x The Mindcraft Project

The Mindcraft Project is an annual exhibition presented by the Copenhagen Design Agency to bring the best in explorative and experimental Danish design to the world.

The Dezeen x The Mindcraft Project 2021 collaboration showcases the work of 10 innovative designers and studios from the 2021 digital edition of the exhibition via a series of videos. Watch all the videos as we publish them at: www.dezeen.com/the-mindcraft-project-2021.

Dezeen x The Mindcraft Project 2021 is a partnership between Dezeen and Copenhagen Design Agency. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

More images

Ombre Light by Mette Schelde in The Mindcraft Project
Ombre Light by Mette Schelde in The Mindcraft Project
Ombre Light by Mette Schelde in The Mindcraft Project
Ombre Light by Mette Schelde in The Mindcraft Project
Mette Schelde holds up the Ombre Light
y Mette Schelde with the Ombre Light behind her